"I have no choice but to miss the company's very important activity, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, to be held this month. As the president of the company, I regret that I cannot attend the meeting," Iwata wrote via email prior to the meeting, according to GamesIndustry.biz.

"However, I understand that I have to prioritise my medical treatment and to recover as soon as possible so that I will again be able to do my best to help the company to grow. I hope that you understand."

According to IGN, Iwata's popularity amongst shareholders fell from a high in 2011 of 92.9 percent to just 77.3 percent in 2013.